Aviators&#39; helmets



Uct. 15, 1957 w. B, REED 2,809,374

AVIATORS' HELMETS Filed NOV. '7. 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 92 A mvmog WESLYB. REED Oct, 15, 1957 W. B. REED AvA'roRs' HELMETS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2Filed NOV. 7, 1952 NVENTO. wasn- Y a. Raes "Km fga/M ATTORNEY Oct. 15,1957 w. B. REED AvmoRs' HELMETS 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed NOV. 7. 1952INVENTOR we sLEY s. Raso Y' ATTORNEY nUnited States Patent O AVATORSHELMETS Wesley E. Reed, North Woodstock, Conn., assigner t AmericanOptical Company, Southbridge, Mass., a voluntary association ofMassachusetts Application November 7, 1952, Serial No. 319,394 Claims.(Cl. 2 6) This invention relates to improvements in aviators helmets andhas particular reference to helmets of the type adapted to enclose theentire head of an individual.

One of the primary objects of this invention is to provide an aviatorshelmet which is relatively light in weight, comfortable to wear, andefiicient in its use.

Another object is to provide a helmet which is shaped to t completelyover the head of a wearer and is formed as a composite structurecomprising a plurality of llexible panels of fabric materials, some ofwhich panels are elastic, enabling the helmet to be automaticallyadjusted to an individuals head, and other panels of which aresubstantially non-elastic to enable the composite parts of the device tobe efhciently retained in desired positional relation on the wearershead.

Another object is to provide a helmet of the above character whereinselected portions of the composite structure are shaped to eilicientlyand comfortably support additional utility equipment such as an oxygenmask, goggles and earphones in respective positions of use.

Another object is to provide a helmet having improved means for securelysupporting a goggle frame whereby lenses may be easily and quicklyinserted or interchanged in said goggle frame without removal of theframe from the helmet.

Another object is to provide a helmet of the above character which isrelatively simple in construction and which can be easily and quicklyapplied to or removed from the head of a wearer.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent fromthe following description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

Fig. l is a front elevational view ot a helmet embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the helmet shown in Fig. l;

Fig. 3 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary rear elevational view of the is a rearelevational view of the helmet shown facial portion of the helmetshowing the goggles and l oxygen mask attached thereto;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of the helmet illustratingparticularly the method of supporting the oxygen mask and earphones;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional View of the lower end of themask-supporting portion of the helmet;

Fig. 7 is an exploded view illu ra 'ng the means for securing the lensretaining rims;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially on line -S ofFig. 3;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially on line 9 9 ofFig. l looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional view taken on line itl-10 of Fig. 5looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged vertical sectional view through approximately thecenter of the exhalaton valve; and

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Fig. l2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view through one of theinhalation valves.

Referring more particularly to the drawings wherein like characters ofreference designate like parts throughout the several views, the helmetembodying the invention is comprised of a plurality of elastic andnon-elastic panels which are stitched together to form the structureillustrated in Figs. l, 2 and 3. The helmet is provided with an elasticpanel 11 which is adapted to be located over the forehead, eyes andupper portions of the cheeks and nose of the wearer, a non-elastic panel12 which is attached to the lower edge of the panel 11 and which extendsdownwardly therefrom, a pair of non-elastic panels 13 and 13a which areattached to the side edges of the panel 11 and which are adapted tocover the temples, ears and adjacent portions of the sides of thewearers head, and an elastic panel 14 which is adapted to extend beneaththe chin of the wearer and having its forward edges attached to the sideedges of the panel l2 and having portions adapted to be superimposedover the sides of the wearers chin, lower cheeks and sides of the upperneck, the panel 14 being attached at its upper edges to the rcspectivepanels 13 and 13a as well as to a portion of the lower edge of the panel11. One end of each of a pair of elongated elastic panels 15 and 15a isattached in side by side relation to the upper edge of the panel 11,extending rearwardly and downwardly therefrom, and are attached at theirsides to the respective upper and rear edges of the panels 13 and 13a,thus being adapted to extend along the top and back of a wearers head.The panels 15 and 15a extend downwardly along the back of the wearersneck and are attached to the respective ends of the elastic panel 14 andto the adjacent upper edge of an elastic neckband 16 which is attachedalso to the lower edge of the panel 14, whereby it may snugly encirclethe neck of a wearer.

The non-elastic panels 12 and 13a-13a are preferably formed of knittednylon which is, like all knitted fabric, easily deformable and capableof slight stretching. However, the so-called elastic panels i1, 14, 15and 15a are formed of a material which may be stretched and deformed toa relatively great extent in comparison with the non-elastic panels,such as rubber or a combination of knitted nylon and latex. The neckband16 is formed with elastic threads and is ribbed knit to provide a stillgreater degree of elasticity. The elongated panels 15 and 15a of thehelmet have their adjacent edges nemmed as indicated at 17 in Figs. 3and 8 and have attached to the hems 17, as by stitching or the like 19,a conventional Zipper fastener 1S. The zipper fastener iscomprised ofthe conventional pair of fabric strips Ztl having their adjacent edgesprovided with the closure tabs 21 (Figs. 3) which are adapted to bejoined by a slidable closure member 22, A liner strip 23 (Fig. 8) isconnected at one side as by stitching 23a to one of the hems 17 and isadapted to overlie the wearers head beneath the zipper therebypreventing the wearers hair from becoming entangled in the zipper.

All of the panels 11, 12, 13, 1d, l5 and 15a are stitched together asdescribed preferably by use of flat lock seams which form a very securestructure wherein the joined edges lie relatively flat.

The helmet is constructed in the above-described manner embodyingseparate elastic and substantially nonelastic panels since it isdesirable that a standardized size and shape be made which will readilybe adaptable for wear by individuals hav-ing various sizes and shapes ofheads. The elastic panels will, due to their inherent elasticcharacteristics, readily conform to the heads of the wearers while thesubstantially non-elastic panels will support utility apparatus such asoxygen masks and earextending through the openings in the helmetremoved. The entire composite construction is such,

however, that under all normal conceivable conditions of use, the helmetwill remain in desired wearing position.

Another beneficial feature of such a construction is that there ispractically no place where an air stream can readily gain access to theinterior .of the'helmet and accidentally tear. the helmet off thewearers head.

lln the elastic front panel 11, there are provided two spaced eyeopenings over which goggles 24 are mounted. The goggles 24 comprise asupporting member or mask 25 formed of rubber or other similar resilientmaterial shaped to t over the eyes of the wearer and having a pair ofspaced eye-encircling portions 26 which are connected by a bridgeportion 27 (Figs. 4, 5 and 9). The mask 25 is positioned on the innerside of the helmet portion 11 with annular flanges 28 on theVeye-encircling portions 2.6 portion 11, as shown in Fig. 9. An annularstiiener 29 formed of relatively rigid material such as plastic, metal,or the like is disposed upon the inner side of each flange 28, and thesuperimposed flange-like portion of the panel 11 adjacent the opening issecured thereto through the flange 28 as by stitches, staples, rivets,or the like 30.

' Mounted over the eye openings are rim members 31 which are shaped toencircle and receive a pair of lenses 32, the rim members 31 havingportions 33 which extend rearwardly into overlying relation with thestiffener 29 and portions of the mask and helmet secured thereto. Therim members 31 completely encircle the respective lenses 32 and aresplit in the temporal regions as at 34 (Figs. 2

and 7). -Each end of the rim member at the split isA provided with anoutwardly extending tongue or lug 35. When securing a lens 32 inposition, the lens 32 is mounted in the rim member 31 and the split 34closed by bringing the tongues 35 together. This causes the rim member31 to assume a tightly itted relation with the contour edge of the lens.A hollow slidable locking member 36 is then Vmounted over the tongues 35and a clip 37 is inserted through aligned openings 38 adjacent the endsof the Ytongues 35 to prevent Withdrawal of the locking member 36thusretaining the parts in desired assembled relation. Y

The tongues 35 and locking member 36 are adapted to extend throughrestricted openings 39 provided therefor in the panel 11 and the clips37 are thus accessible only from the interior. VThe clips 37 are carriedby the ends of a headband 40 which is adapted to extend around the headof the wearer.

To change a lens, it is necessary to remove the clip 37, withdraw thetongues 35 through openings 39, and remove the locking member 36 toallow the ends of the rim member 31 to separate through the inherentresiliency of the material thereof. After a lens has been replaced, theparts of the device may be easily reassembled as described.

The oxygen mask 41 may be of conventional design and is adapted to'becarried in the lower front of the helmet by the non-elastic panel 12 andadjacent portions of the elastic panel 14. The lower edges of the panels12 and 14 are so constructed that an opening 42 is provided throughWhich the inlet valve-supporting portion 43 of the mask 41 extends aswell as does the outlet vent portion 44 (Figs. 2 and 5). The edges ofthe opening 42 are reinforced by a strip 45 of reinforcing material suchas a strong fabric, leather, plastic or the like Vwhich is doubled overalong its edge (Figs.V and 6) and stitched, cemented or otherwiserelatively permanently secured thereto. `Supporting means is provided bya narrow strip 46 of the reinforcing material, which strip 46 isattached at its ends to the strip 42 and which is adapted to extendbeneath the mask 41 between the inlet valve-supporting portion 43 andoutlet portion 44 to aid in supporting the mask comfortably and securelyin position of use.

The oxygen mask 41 also comprises a cupped face piece 47 which isadapted to t over the nose and mouthY of the wearer beneath the helmet.The face piece 47 is preferably provided with flexible edge port-ions 48for intimate comfortable engagement in air-sealing relation with theface of the wearer, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. The inletvalve-supporting portion 43 is formed in the lower end of the facepiece47 and comprises a tubular member 49 through which air enters from ana-ir hose 50 which is securely connected to the tubular member 49 as bya conventional ring-like connector 51. From the tubular member 49 theair passes directly through a duct 52 (fFigs. 4 and ll) into the goggles24, Ventilating lfirst one lens 32 and then passing through a duct 53 inthe bridge portion 27 of the goggles to the other lens Y32. The air thenpasses from the goggles through a duct 54 back into the tubular member49. Thus, air is continually circulated over the inner surface of thelenses 32, pre-V venting them from fogging or misting. Openings 55 (Fig.12) are provided for permitting air also to pass from the ducts 52 and54 into the interior of the mask 41, in halation valves 56 beingprovided to permit the air to tow only in a direction into the mask 41.VAn annular member 57 (Fig. l2) is provided with a anged portion 58extending thereabout, said hanged portion 58 being disposed in anannular groove V59 formed in the mask about the opening 55. The member57 is provided with an annular raised seat 60 which is adapted to becontacted by a resilient utter valve 61, the flutter valve 61 beingdisc-like in shape and adapted to overlie the central opening 62 ,in theannular member 57. The member 57 is provided with a plurality ofspokc-like'elements extending across the opening 62 therein to acentralhub .portion V63 to which the flutter valve 61 is attached as byconnecting member 64. Thus, it will be apparent that inhalation by thewearer of the mask will draw air inwardly from the ducts 52 and 54through the openings V55 and 62, and causing the resilient flutter valve61 to be forced inwardly away from the raised annular Vseat 60,permitting the air'to pass into the interior of the mask 41. Exhalation.by the wearer will, however, urge the exhaled air against the outersurface of the ilutter valve 61 urging it in a direction toward thevalve seat 60, causing the Hutter valve 6 1 thus to seal'tne opening 62and thus prevent the air from passing back into the ducts 52 and 54.

A relatively rigid cover 63 is adapted to be mounted over the inner sideof each inhalation valve 56 for protection of the valve parts, the cover63 beingprovided in one side thereof with an aperture 64 through whichthe air is permitted to pass. The directions of ilow of air throughoutthe device are indicated by arrows.

An exhalation valve 65 (Figs. 5 and 11) is located in the inletvalve-supporting portion 43 of the mask 41 and comprises an innercylindrical member 66 which is secured to the inner portion of the mask41 adjacent the supporting portion 43, the cylindrical member 66 beingprovided with an annular ange 67 which is adapted to rest against thelower surface kofan annular ledge-'68 formed on the inner surface of themask 41. The cylindrical member 66 is provided with an inner threadedportion to which is adapted to be threadedly secured an annular member69 which is provided with an annular flange 70 which is adapted to bedisposed against the upper surface of the annular ledge 68, thus servingto retain the exhalation valve in desired position in the mask. Theannular member 69 is provided with an inwardly extending annularportion71 whichY is provided on its lower surface with 'an annular knife edgevalve seat 7 2 which is adapted to be engaged by a valve'member 73carried at opposed sides of the opening Y at one end of a reciprocalmember 74 which is disposed within an elongated tubular valve-supportingmember 75 extendingtinto the interior of the supporting portion 43through an opening 76 formed in the lower portion 77 of the mask 41. Thetubular valve-supporting member 75 is enlarged as indicated at 78 andhas positioned therein a coil spring 79 which is adapted to urge thevalve member 73 in a direction toward the valve seat 72. The member 75is further provided at its upper end with an annular flange-like portionSi) which is formed integrally with the lower end of the cylindricalmember 66 and to which is connected a resilient sealing member S1. Thesides of the cylindrical member 66 are provided with a plurality ofopenings 82 and thus air is permitted to leave the mask, upon exhalationby the wearer and consequent movement of the valve member 73 away fromthe valve seat 72, through the space therebetween and through theopenings 82 out through the exhalation vent 44 (Figs. and ll) asindicated by the arrows.

A recess located in the interior of mask 41 adjacent the location of themouth of a wearer contains a microphone 83 which is connected to asuitable audio system by wiring 84 which passes through the face piece47 and emerges adjacent the upper end of the tubular member 49. Thetubular member 49 carries an apertured tongue 85 through which thewiring S4 passes to lessen the chance of the wiring 84 from pulling outof the microphone S3 when becoming twisted or entangled.

The face piece 47 is provided with a resilient cross member 36 which isadapted to engage the face of the wearer between the nose and upper lip(Figs. 4 and 5). This aids in retaining the face piece 47 in its cuppedshape when being worn, thus also serving to maintain the microphone indesired spaced relation with the mouth of the wearer.

Sewed or otherwise securely connected to the inner surface of eachnon-elastic panel 13 of the helmet is an annular trough-shaped member 87of resilient material (Figs. 5 and l0). 'Ihe trough-like portion of themember S7 is filled with a soft padding 8S which is retained in place byan annular cover 89 to which is secured an annular padded ring ordoughnut 9i) which is adapted to be located against the side of thewearers head in encircling relation with the ear. In the central openingof each of the annular trough-shaped members is securely located anearphone 91. The earphones 91 are connected together and to said audiosystem by wiring 92 which passes out of the helmet beneath the neckband16.

lt will be apparent that a helmet constructed as described with portionsof elastic and non-elastic material will readily adapt itself whendonned to the shape and size of the wearers head, with the elasticportions easily shaping themselves to the specic coniiguration of thehead and the non-elastic portions retaining the parts of the compositestructure in desired positional relations.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that all of theobjects and advantages of the invention have been accomplished. Whilethe novel features of the invention have been shown and described andare pointed out in the annexed claims, it is to be understood thatvarious omissions, substitutions and changes in the construction andarrangement of parts may be made by those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is to beunderstood that all matter shown or described is to be interpreted asillustrative and not in a limiting sense.

l claim:

l. A helmet comprising a plurality of panels of clothlilre materialconnected at the meeting edges thereof to form a composite structureshaped to enclose and have a relatively intimate it with the head of thewearer, said panels consisting of an upper elastic front panel having aportion shaped substantially to and to overlie the forehead, perforatedportions shaped to t about the eyes and to overlie the nose and upperfront portions of the cheeks of the wearer, a non-elastic lower frontpanel secured to the lower edge of the upper front panel and beingshaped to overlie the lower front oral region of the face, non-elasticside panels having their forward edges shaped to and secured to the sideedges of the upper front panel and being shaped to t the sides of thehead in overlying relation with the aural regions and having their upperand rear edges spaced relative to each other and shaped to the generalshape of the upper and rear sides of the head, elongated elastic panelsshaped to extend along the top and baci` of the head, each of saidelongated elastic panels having its forward edge shaped to and securedto the adjacent upper edge of the upper front panel and having its sideedges shaped to and secured to the respective spaced upper and rearedges of the side panels, an elastic lower panel shaped to overlie and twith the lower portions of the cheeks and to extend beneath the chin,said lower panel having portions of its forward edges shaped to andsecured to the respective side edges of the lower front panel and havingits upper edges shaped to and secured to the adjacent lower edgeportions of the upper front panel and to the lower edges of thenonelastic side panels, and an elastic neckband shaped to encircle theneck and having its upper edge secured to the remaining free lower edgeof the elastic lower panel and the lower rear edges of the elongatedelastic panels, said perforations in said portions shaped to tit aboutthe eyes having viewing means secured therein and the meeting edges ofsaid elongated elastic panels shaped to extend along the top and back ofthe head having means for detachably connecting said meeting edgestogether.

2. A helmet comprising a plurality of panels of clothlilte materialconnected at the meeting edges thereof to form a composite structureshaped to enclose and have a relatively intimate lit with the head ofthe wearer, said panels consisting of an upper elastic front panelhaving a portion shaped substantially to and to overlie the forehead,aperture-:l portions shaped to lit about the eyes and to overlie thenose and upper front portions of the cheeks of the wearer andeye-protective means mounted in said apertures, a non-elastic lowerfront panel secured to the lower edge of the upper front panel and beingshaped to overlie the lower front oral region of the face and to receiveand support an ox gen mask in position of use, non-elastic side panelshaving their forward edges shaped to and secured to the side edges ofthe upper front panel and being shaped to fit the sides of the head inoverlying relation with the aural regions and having their upper andrear edges spaced relative to each other and shaped to the general shapeof the upper and rear sides of the head, elongated elastic panels shapedto extend along the top and back of the head, each of said elongatedelastic panels having its forward edge shaped to and secured to theadjacent upper edge of the upper front panel and having its side edgesshaped to and secured to the respective spaced upper and rear edges ofthe side panels, and elastic lower panel shaped to overlie and iit withthe lower portions of the cheeks and to extend beneath the chain, saidlower panel having portions of its forward edges shaped to and securedto the respective side edges of the lower front panel and its upperedges shaped to and secured to the lower edges of the nonelastic sidepanels and the adjacent lower edge portions of the upper front panel,said elastic lower panel being so contoured and elasticized as to causethe oxygen mask carried by said lower front panel to be urged againstthe face of the wearer, the lower front panel and the outer forward edgeof said elastic lower panel being in predetermined spaced relation toform an opening through which portions of said oxygen mask are adaptedto extend, and an elastic neckband shaped to encircle the neck andhaving its upper edge secured to the remaining free lower edge of theelastic lower panel and the lower rear edges of the elongated elasticpanels, the meeting edges of said elongated elastic panels shaped toextend alongA the top and back of the head having means for detachablyconnecting said meeting edges together. Y 3. VA helmet comprising aplurality of panels of clothlike material connected at the meeting edgesthereof to vform a composite structure shaped to enclose Vand have arelatively intimate it with the head of the wearer and to support aneye-protective device in position ofuse, said panels consisting of anupper elastic Yfront panel having a portion shaped substantially to andto overlie the fore- A head, apertured portions shaped to t about theeyes and to overlie the nose and upper front portions of the cheeks ofthe wearer, a resilient supporting Amember shaped to engage the face ofthe wearer having eye openings therein in substantial alignment with theapertures in said upper front panel and further having flange portionssurroundf ing said apertures and connected with the Vportions of theupper front panel encircling said apertures, lens means covering saideye openings and apertures, and rim members shaped to encircle andreceive the peripheral edges of the lens means andhaving flange portionsshaped to overlie the flanges on said supporting member and the portionsof the upper front panel encircling said aper- Vtures to which the angesare connected, each of said rim members being split to form two ends andhaving removable securing means for maintaining said ends in closesuperimposed relation to clamp said rim members onto said flanges andonto the connected portions ofthe upper front panel, a non-elastic lowerfront panel secured to the lower edge of the upper front panel and beingshaped to overlie the lower front oral region of the face, non-elasticside panels having their forward edges shaped to and secured to the sideedges of the upper front panel and being shaped to t the sides of thehead in overlying relation with the aural regions and having their upperand rear edges spaced relative to eachother and shaped to the generalshape ofthe upper and rear sides of the head, elongated elastic panelsshaped to extend along the top and back of the head, each of saidelongated elastic panels having its forward edge shaped to and securedto the adjacent upper edge of the upper front panel and having its sideedges shaped to and secured to the respective spaced upper'and rearedges of the side panels, an elastic lowerV panel shaped to overlie andt with the lower portions of the cheeks and to extend beneath the chin,said lower panel having portions lof its forward edges shaped to andsecured to the respective side edges of the lower front panel and itsupper edges shaped to and secured to the lower edges of the non-elasticside panels and the adjacent lower edge portions of the upper frontpanel and an elastic neckband shaped to encircle the neck and having itsupper edge secured to the remaining free lower edge of the elastic lowerpanel and the lower rear edges of the elongated elastic panels, saidportions shaped to tit about the eyes having viewing means securedthereto and the meeting edges of said elongated elasticpanels shaped toextend along the top and baci; of the head having means for detachablyconnecting said meeting edges together.

4. A helmet comprising a plurality ofV panels of clothlike materialconnected at the meeting edges thereof to form a composite structureshaped to enclose and have a relatively intimate tit with the head ofthe wearer, said panels consisting of an upper elastic front panelhaving a portion. shaped substantially to and to overlie the foreheadand apertured portions shaped to t about the eyes and to overlie thenose and upper front portions of the mounted over veach of saidapertures and rim members Vshaped to -encircle and receiveV Vtheperipheral edges of each Yof said -lens means yand having a peripheralflange portion thereon for overlying its adjacent Stifte/ner andrespectiveangesof the mask and upper front panel, said rim members eachbeing splitwhereby-the -ends thereof adjoining the split may be broughtVtogether to clamp said ange .portion ofthe rim members in positionabout said anges of the face mask and upper front panel, overlyingtongue members Von said ends of the rim'members adjacent said split,removable securing means for maintaining said tongue members and ends inclose relation, and a headband attached to said tongue members and lyinginwardly of the helmet about the head of the wearer to aid in retainingthe lens means in desired position of use, a non-elastic lower frontpanel secured to the lower edge of the upper front panel and beingshaped to overlie the lower front oral region of the face, non elasticside panels having theirV forward edges shaped to and securedV to theside edges of the upper frontV panel and being shaped to fit. the sidesof the head in overlying relation with the aural regions and havingtheir upper and rear edges spaced relative to each other and shaped tothe general shape of the upper and rear sides of the head, elongatedelastic f panels Vshaped to extend along the top and back of the head,each of said elongated elastic panels having its forward edge shaped toand secured to the adjacent upper edgeof the upper front panel andhaving its side-edges shaped to and secured to the respective spacedupper and rear edges of the sideV panels, an elastic lower panel shapedto overlie and fit with the lower por tions of the checks andato extendbeneath the chin, said lower panel having portions of its forward edgesshaped to and secured to the respective side edges of the lower front`panel and its upper edges shaped to and secured to the lower edges ofthe non-elastic side panels and the adjacent llower edge portions of theupper front panel and fan elastic neckband shaped to encircle the neckand having itstupper edge secured to the remaining free lower edge ofthe elastic loweripanel and the lower yrear edges of the elongatedelastic. panels, and the meetingedges .of said elongated elastic panelsshaped -to extend along the top and back Vof the head. having means forVdetachably connecting said meeting edges together.

- 5. A helmet comprising a plurality of panels of clothlike materialconnected at the'` meetingedges thereof to v form a compositestructure'shaped to enclose andY have a cheeks of the wearer, said upperelastic front panel hav- Y ing an outwardly extending flange portionsurrounding each of said apertures, a relatively rigid stiffenerencircling and secured to each of said iange portions in super imposedrelation therewith for imparting size and shape control to saidapertures, a face-engaging mask on the inner side of said front panelhaving eye openings therein, said mask having outwardly directed anigeportions each secured to a respective adjacent stiifener, Vlens meansrelatively intimatet with the head of the wearer, said panels consistingof an upper elastic frontpanel having a portion shaped substantially Vtoand to overlie the fore,- head, aperturedV portions shaped to fitV aboutthe eyes and to overlie the nose and upperfront portions. of the cheeksof the wearer, a non-elastic lower front panel shaped to support anoxygen mask inwardly of the helmet in position of use, saidlower frontpanel being secured to the lower edge Vof the upper front panel andshaped to overlie the lower front oral region of the face, Ynonelasticside panels shaped to t the sides of the head in Y overlying relationwith the aural regions and having receiving means for supportingearphones inwardly of the helmet in position of use, the forward edgesof said side panels being shaped to and secured to the side edges of theupper front panel and having their upper and rear edges spaced relativeto each otherV and shaped to the general shape of the upper and rearsides-of the head,

elongated elastic panels shaped to extend along the top and back of thehead, each of said elongated elastic panelshaving its forward edgeshaped to and `secured to the adjacent upper edge of the upperA frontpanel and having its side edges shapedttoV andsecured to the respectivespaced upper and rear edges of the side panels, an elastic'lowerrpanelshaped to overlie and t with the lower portions of the cheeks and toextend beneathV the chin, said lower panel having portions of itsforward edges shaped to and secured to the respective side edges of thelower front panel and its upper edges shaped to and secured to the loweredges of the non-elastic side panels and the adjacent lower edgeportions of the upper front panel and an elastic neckband shaped toencircle the neck and having its upper edge secured to the remainingfree lower edge of the elastic lower panel and the lower rear edges ofthe elongated elastic panels and having its opposed ends joined adjacentthe joinder of said elongated panels, closure means extending along theadjoining edges of said elongated panels and neckband by which saidedges may be separated for removably locating the helmet in desiredposition on the wearers head, said apertured portions shaped to t aboutthe eyes having viewing means secured over the apertures therein and aheadband attached to said viewing means and lying inwardly of the helmetabout the wearers head to aid in retaining said viewing means in desiredposition relative to the wearers eyes.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNTTED STATES PATENTS

